Hyderabad: A 61-year-old woman from Hyderabad lost ₹35.23 lakh in an elaborate WhatsApp impersonation scam, prompting a fresh warning from the city’s Cyber Crimes Police.
The victim received a WhatsApp call from an individual claiming to be Dr. Steve Rodriguez, a urologist at South Manchester General Hospital. The caller falsely claimed that her son had suffered a serious accident at London Airport and required urgent medical treatment.
Distressed by the news, the woman transferred the amount across multiple transactions between August 8 and September 18, 2025. She later discovered the deception after the WhatsApp account used by the alleged doctor was deleted.
WhatsApp impersonation scam involved fake UK doctor and accident claim
The case is part of a growing trend of “accident and impersonation scams” being carried out via social media platforms. Fraudsters often exploit parental fear to manipulate victims into sending large sums without verification.
Cyber Crimes Police have urged citizens to verify any such emergency claims through official sources before making financial transactions. Authorities emphasised that responding to distress messages without proper validation can lead to significant losses.
The police are continuing their investigation and have advised the public to remain alert to similar scams operating through WhatsApp and other digital platforms.